It is no secret that the livestock industry distinguishes itself in its ability to find a way to argue about anything. In this world often divided by many segments, there is one topic that unites the livestock industry: the shared commitment to improving rangeland. Despite challenges like drought, invasive species and evolving policies, the benefits of healthier rangelands impact everyone. The path to progress isn’t simple—ranching is a dynamic system, requiring continuous adaptation. But those in this industry didn’t choose it for ease.
The National Grazing Lands Coalition (NatGLC) is a producer-led nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the health and productivity of all grazing lands, including Western rangelands. By identifying producer challenges and creating tailored resources, NatGLC embraces the reality that ranching has no endpoint. Ranching is diverse, new hurdles will emerge, and old challenges will morph, demanding fresh solutions and persistent effort and collaboration.
The recent ninth National Grazing Lands Conference (9NGLC) in Tucson, AZ, highlighted the producer-driven desire for tools and techniques they can use to improve the lands they manage. From private to federal to tribal lands, packed educational sessions demonstrated this need, as speakers presented technologies and approaches that may be a solution for some operations.
A few key themes came to light:
• There is no one-size-fits-all approach.
From beginning rancher to sixth generation, there are different needs for the operation. Multi-generational operations continue to struggle with transition planning, or the completion of it. Beginning ranchers need networks and mentorship opportunities to grow and learn. Every piece of land is different and therefore management will vary greatly, even operations that are neighboring.
Whether there will be benefits from inclusion of multi-species grazing, finding ways to reduce pests and invasives, or finding ways to access more land to utilize an approach you otherwise couldn’t, there are creative ideas being tested for optimizing forage quality and production to overcome challenges or open up new opportunities. We saw an innovative example showcased at 9NGLC where permittees joined together to allow for increased rest/rotation management approach.
Marketing approaches are equally diverse. From direct-to-consumer sales near urban areas to partnerships with small processors, restaurants or retailers, producers must align their goals with the right strategies.
• Efficiency and funding.
Increasing the speed at which important decisions can be made and finding funding opportunities to support implementation was another theme expressed. Whether it was through grazing management technologies, digital recordkeeping or virtual fence, it was apparent producers have a keen interest in understanding how their operations could potentially benefit. However, choosing the right tools requires careful evaluation of each operation’s needs and goals.
• The need for research remains critical.
Today, we still don’t have a complete understanding of the vast variance across Western landscapes. Research is the basis for any change, whether it is your own observation and trial and error, or whether it is a full-fledged land grant university research project. It seems like there is always a lot going on in the research space, but “putting it all together” is still challenging. Interdisciplinary partnerships with researchers will continue to be extremely important, for both individual producers as well as organizations like NatGLC.
• Strong communities fuel healthy rangelands.
Western working lands are the core of their rural economies and enhancing them is in all of our best interests. A thriving community supports healthier lands, and vice versa. Recognizing this connection is essential, as ranching has historically anchored rural life. Collaboration between ranchers and their communities strengthens both, demonstrated continually through brandings across the West.
• Peer-to-peer learning is invaluable.
Producer-led learning remains the most effective way to share knowledge. At 9NGLC, attendees and speakers—primarily producers—shared successes, failures and lessons learned. However, connecting time-strapped producers remains a challenge. Striking a balance between digital platforms like webinars and in-person events is crucial for delivering accessible, relevant information. It is hard to “give up” the time, but it pays dividends in the long run.
I have no doubt, as a fiercely independent lot, we will continue to bicker and disagree about most things. That is natural, we are all different, just like the lands we steward. By focusing on what unites us, we can amplify our collective impact. Whether it is research, adapting to challenges, fighting true and common enemies, the result will be greater by working together. Aristotle said it best: “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” — Ashley McDonald, Castle Rock, CO
(McDonald is the executive director of the National Grazing Lands Coalition.)
